https://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/UrquhartsTheorem.shtml LemmaLet in ΔABC, angles at A, B, C measure 2α, 2β, and 2γ, respectively. Let p(ABC) be the perimeter of the triangle. Then | p(ABC) / BC = 2 / (1 - tanβ·tanγ). | ProofWe repeatedly use the Law of Sines and the addition formulae. | p(ABC) / BC | = 1 + (AB + AC)/BC | | = 1 + (sin2γ + sin2β) / sin 2α | | = 1 + (sin2γ + sin2β) / sin(2β + 2γ) | | = 1 + 2sin(γ + β)cos(γ - β) / 2sin(γ + β)cos(γ + β) | | = 1 + (cosγ cosβ + sinγ sinβ) / (cosγ cosβ - sinγ sinβ) | | = 2cosγ cosβ / (cosγ cosβ - sinγ sinβ) | | = 2 / (1 - tanβ·tanγ). |
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Now let's return to Urquhart's theorem. Denote the angles as shown in the diagram. Observe that in triangles AB'D and ACD side AD is common, so that, applying the Lemma to each of the triangles, we see that they have equal perimeters iff tanβ' tan(90° - γ') = tanγ tan(90° - β): | p(AB'D) = p(ACD) | iff tanβ' tan(90° - γ') = tanγ tan(90° - β) | | iff tanβ' cotγ' = tanγ cotβ | | iff tanβ' tanβ = tanγ tanγ' | | iff p(ABD) = p(AC'D), as desired. |
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(An elementary synthetic solution appears elsewhere. Also, Michel Cabart noticed that the theorem extends to the non-degenerate conics in an absolutely simple manner, showing that even the most elementary theorem of geometry sprouts concealed relations to other pieces of mathematics.) |